Xanax Addiction Treatment

Facts About Xanax Addiction

Xanax is a drug that many psychiatrists and physicians refuse to prescribe. It is highly effective when used appropriately, but Xanax users are prone to abuse and addiction. Upon initial ingestion of Xanax, users report decreased anxiety. In addition, they report the following:

Drowsiness

Trouble with concentration

Decreased motor skills/clumsiness

Slurred speech

Sensations of carelessness

It does not take long for a person to become addicted to Xanax. Once the initial euphoric, carefree sensation takes place, the user is often prone to continually seek out the drug again to experience the same feeling. Over time, he or she shows symptoms of addiction and is no longer taking the drug to feel the effects. Rather, the individual is taking Xanax to sustain feelings of normalcy and attain an “even-keeled” state of mind.

Addiction is a disease that can affect anyone regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, or age. Therefore, its onset is difficult to pinpoint. Once a person becomes addicted to Xanax, he or she loses the ability to control when and if the next pill is to be taken.

People addicted to Xanax sometimes abuse the drug by injecting it or crushing and snorting it. Such methods result in rapid release of Xanax chemicals into the brain. Users feel its effects more intensely and within a shorter period of time. Once an individual has crossed the line into addiction, he or she may feel compulsive urges to use Xanax despite debilitating consequences. For example, a man who is addicted to Xanax might sell his prized Jaguar so he can make more money to buy more Xanax. In severe cases, he may refinance his home, embezzle from his employer, or obtain credit card debt to feed his habit.

Xanax Addiction Treatment Options

Addicts often need an outside intervention to recognize their need for help. This is usually because they are too entrenched in the disease to help themselves. Other options include 24/7 rehabilitation centers for drug treatment, outpatient drug rehab, and/or weekly drug counseling.

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Sudden cessation of Xanax is not advisable. Physicians generally set clients up on a schedule to wean them off over a specified period of time. Withdrawal symptoms of Xanax are severe and require medical assistance. Occasionally, heavy Xanax use requires a medical detox from Xanax in a safe setting. Thus, Xanax addiction treatment is important for a safe and effective recovery. Xanax side effects during cessation of use include:

Nausea

Vomiting

Dizziness

Headache

Anxiety and irritability

Difficulty sleeping

Hot and cold chills

Fatigue

Spurts of sad emotions

Realistic and vivid dreams

Without medical assistance, patients who stop Xanax use on their own are susceptible to seizures, dramatic psychological effects, and emotional hardship. The detox process from Xanax in residential treatment programs generally lasts from 10-14 days. Once free of Xanax, addicts meet with drug counselors, therapists, and psychiatrists to discuss alternative approaches to anxiety management. They also can talk about underlying issues that have contributed to the addiction. For instance, a Xanax addict may have underlying bipolar disorder that has gone undiagnosed for years. Through treatment, he or she can address the disorder’s ramifications on their behaviors and choices. This type of dual diagnosis treatment administers medication as needed.

Be patient if your loved one is recovering from a Xanax addiction. Xanax is just as psychologically addictive as it is physically addictive. Patients must mourn the loss of their coping mechanism and friend, i.e. Xanax, on their own terms. This may involve a substantial grieving period for which the patient recognizes that Xanax is no longer a part of their life. Alternative ways to deal with stress may entail exercise, meditation, prayer, spiritual enlightenment, deep breathing methods, and keeping a journal. Call 866-323-4665 today for more information on how you can help a loved one begin recovery.